Bislig City – a city by the bay

This is one of my most exciting visit since this is the place where the famous Tinuy-an Falls located. Bislig City is the opposite end of Butuan City that is end to end to each other in Caraga. If you want to look at the map, Bislig City was 158 kilometers away southeast of Butuan City, and is heading at the last part of Caraga in going to the South to Davao Oriental.

caraga mapBislig City was located in the province of Surigao del Sur. It is known as – a city by the bay – because most its land mass occupying the scenic bay facing the great Pacific Ocean. Bislig City owns the whole part of the bay. No more, no less. Both Butuan and Bislig have a bay in honor to its name. Bislig City got its name from a forest vine of the rattan family that grew in abundance along the banks of its rivers.

In 1990, the then Bislig town was converted into a city. Other cities that comprise Caraga aside from Bislig are Butuan and Surigao.

A Portal of Virgin Forest

It is just about 5 hours ride from Butuan City. While as we move closer to Bislig City, the rough road has started to bump my seat but there were lots of entry point in order to get through to the city. There you experience big trees along the side of the road as you have never seen before like a trip to a never ending forest. You are heading the road as if you are passing the cradle of giant trees and wild plants but it seems they are just the leftover of boom logging in the 70’s.

If you think of it, Bislig City before the boom of logging industries was part of a cradle of virgin forest, or else a frontal image of a nude forest in the Pacific. This is where the defunct PICOP Resources discovered the best location of it. PICOP was formerly the largest paper mill in Asia.

PICOP, Mangagoy, or Mangagoy, PICOP

It can not be deny that word PICOP and Mangagoy – are famous name compare to the name Bislig. When you say PICOP refer to Mangagoy, and Mangagoy known where PICOP Resources located. It is just simply both name overshadowed the name Bislig. When I was young I always hear the name Mangagoy and PICOP until then in high school, I have a research on it and discovered that they are all came from Bislig town.

Someone is telling me, to that effect that comparing Mangagoy is like a city and Bislig was just a plain rural area. Later I learned that Mangagoy was just a downtown barangay envelope by not famed Bislig town. PICOP became a household name because most of its inhabitants were connected to PICOP as human resources and the source of livelihood. In short, most bisliganon survives due to PICOP existence.

Tourist Attraction

I have already discovered the beauty of Tinuy-an Falls which is known as “Niagara of Caraga.” It is a 3-layered falls with a height of 55 meters and a width of 95 meters, and possibly the widest falls in the Philippines. When I went there, it will cost 45 minutes to jump from the city proper. It is one of the best waterfalls in the entire Philippines because of its majestic and unique natural formation. Its colorful picture was once appeared in the International Travel Magazine.

tinuy-an falls, bislig city

Another hotspot is Hagonoy Island is a pearl shape island with clear blue water and white sand suitable for tropical getaway. It is 45 minutes pumpboat ride within the Bislig Bay.

hagonoy island, bislig city

The Lawigan Beach which faces and considers a part of the Pacific Ocean is a host of white sand beaches in the coastal area with fresh ocean breeze and sun bathing.

lawigan beach, bislig city

The enchanted underground river of the Hinayagan Cave. Famous for its unique features and has an atrium at the center reflecting sun rays. Experience a thrill while riding a banca or bamboo raft with bats hovering over your head.

hinayagan cave, bislig city

The Togonan Cold Spring which is a 30-minute ride a far from the city proper.

togonan cold spring, bislig city

Forester Park where amazing rock formation carved by nature through time which includes century old trees amidst mahogany tree plantation.

forester park, bislig city

Bislig also hosts an annual festival called “The Karawasan Festival” during the charter day of the city which features an inter-school ethnic dance competition. Karawasan came from a local dialect which means “movement of the crabs”.

karawasan festival

Never-ending Nature Parks and Resorts

• Ocean View Park – found at Gangas Drive 300 step up in a forest. You can see the panoramic view of Bislig Bay, Pacific Ocean, and Bislig City Skyline
• Baywalk Boulevard
• Mone River – offers a boat ride tour and witness the tropical getaways
• Florland Resort
• Restiseta Farm Resort
• Villa Salud Resort
• Villa Maximilla Resort
• Sian Resort
• Highland Function Farm

some photos and info from bislig city government website, other pics from bislig tambayan, and friendster from bislig karawasan photo


You can reach Bislig City for 5 hours from Butuan City by bus.

About Dandee J.F. Monton

Born in Caraga. Enlightened by neighbor's garden at age 4. Fascinates flow of Agusan River. Stunned at Lake Mainit of father's hometown. At young age always at rooftop to view mountains and sunset that forms part of Agusan Valley. Trekked mountains in Tubay at age 11 and witnessed Butuan Bay under feet. Discovered dolphins early morning in Pook and wondered quiet streams in Guiasan. Dreams the highest peak in the Philippines, Mt. Apo.

Comments

  1. Lax transportation says:

    You have always described about beautiful places and this one is also very attractive. I have seen the photographs of different locations. It such awesome. Which map you have provided is very helpful.

  2. deejay says:

    well, you are my loyal visitor here. thanks for dropping a note to my posts. i hope you enjoy your visits here.

  3. MJ says:

    woooow never been here sayang but your pictures make me want to go

  4. best website design says:

    You are leaving in heaven I like these kind of places very much.

  5. UK Hampers says:

    The pictures which you have provided in the post is attracting to me towards the Bislig City. But sitll i can't travel any where. Thanks.

  6. Sandy says:

    Beautiful pictures, makes me want to pack a bag and head out. The water falls are awesome.

    Hope you'll swing by for a visit, it's been awhile since you've come traveling with me.

    Sandy

  7. joan says:

    wow…beautiful feature :)

  8. joan says:

    wow…beautiful feature :)

  9. Magnus says:

    Beautiful pictures. Wild nature, but at the same time it looks like Paradice with those beaches and falls.

  10. Tricia says:

    Goegeous, I wish I was there in my bikini lying on the beach now.

  11. Tricia says:

    Wow! So gorgeous. I would love to visit Bislig City. Gorgeous photographs too. :)

  12. mothers day flowers says:

    Bislig is one of the municipality in Surigao de Sur. It's not known of being unsafe district in part of Mindanao but lack of immediate facilities. It is close to Butuan City where I think is the safest area for you ( I even saw foreigners at bus terminal last week when I travel there).

  13. promotional items says:

    Great awesome picture…

  14. Bridal Products says:

    I have seen the photographs of different locations. It such awesome. Which map you have provided is very helpful.

  15. promotional items says:

    I think you have to be cautious. Besides if you are going there where you would stay? They don't have good hotels there…

  16. one80times2 says:

    hi!!!
    Good day!!!
    Thank you, I'm looking for Falcata Seeds Supplier? please email me?

  17. Lax transportation says:

    Bislig is such a laid bock and sleepy town. If you want to go to a busy city that would be davao but quite far, maybe around 6 hours drive.

  18. promotional items says:

    Beautiful pictures, makes me want to pack a bag and head out. The water falls are awesome.

  19. Lax transportation says:

    Bislig is one of the municipality in Surigao de Sur. It's very nice city. known of being unsafe district in part of Mindanao but lack of immediate facilities. It is close to Butuan City.I think is the safest area for you .( I even saw foreigners at bus terminal last week when I travel there). I won't say it's not good for you.

  20. Business Consulting says:

    I had the book in my lap with my legs crossed, although I do not have barbed wire around my ankle, I do have a tattoo there…

  21. Lax transportation says:

    Yes there is a Bislig City in the Philippines and it is a WONDERFUL place to visit! There are many tourist attractions such as water falls (the Tinuy-an Falls are LOVELY!!), islands, parks and beaches. Have fun if you are going!

  22. arze arce says:

    I miss Bislig City…

  23. epstein bar says:

    i don’t know were bislig city is. i think its a newly created city (from a municipality to a city). if its in the visayan region just like what the previous user said then its relatively safe there. the visayas region is quite safe because the insurgencies are mostly limited in mindanao island specifically sulu and basilan islands. so its practically safe there…

  24. teri says:

    my family in butuan wants to visit the tinuy an falls but they dont know the place…

    • Dandee J.F. Monton says:

      tinuy-an falls is famous in bislig city. just go in city tourism office and they will help you visit tinuy-an falls.

  25. This nice summary helped me very much! Saved your site, very great topics everywhere that I see here! I like the info, thanks.

  26. Cyril says:

    I’m proud to be a Bisliganon!
    Tinuy-an Falls is the main attraction here in Bislig, the little Niagara Falls in Caraga…

    Anyway, if you want to see more photos and about people in Bislig,

    Just visit this site
    Bislig Tambayan

  27. Ignacio I. Del Rosario says:

    I want to know how many hours to ride by bus or by V-hire from Butuan to Mangagoy, Bislig?

  28. Dandee J.F. Monton says:

    it will take 5 hours by bus or 4 hours by van from butuan city.

  29. Johna Osabel says:

    hello pwede po makahingi ng contact number ng Florland resort…as well as baka may kakilala kayong pumpboat good for 12 persons for britania island hopping…pls reply..punta kami dyan on augt28-30, 2011…

    • Dandee J.F. Monton says:

      (086) 628-2105 and 0910-8395553 florland resort contact number. while kansilad beach resort is the nearest beach resort for britania islands has more information regarding islands hopping.

  30. JOJO says:

    how far surigao del sur going to surigao del norte?

    • Dandee J.F. Monton says:

      it depends in your location. if you are in bislig going to surigao city it will take may be six hours passing the noventa road. from bislig city to surigao city passing butuan city approximate 6 hours

  31. JOJO says:

    how far florland resort going to cherinicole siargao resort?

    • Dandee J.F. Monton says:

      florland resort from bislig city in going to surigao city approximate 6 hours, then surigao city to siargao islands at dapa port will take additional 2 hours or 4 hours with RORO

  32. native bisligboy says:

    All politics in bislig doesn’t care about the future of the city crab mentality people latest mayor he is not from bislig city because 500 pesos all native bislig are suffering for 6 years without good living conditions.

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